The new year is upon us, and with its arrival comes the opportunity to re-consider our commitment to the spectacular natural resources we are blessed with here in the Upper Delaware River region. Most of us already “walk our talk” at various levels on behalf of those resources; but there is always more that can be done.

Following are a few suggestions to launch your list of New Year’s Enviro-resolutions:

1. Get to know the agencies that manage the natural resources of the Upper Delaware River region and that make important decisions affecting wildlife, water, outdoor recreation and more. While not an exhaustive list, the following websites provide abundant information to take your environmental awareness and advocacy to new levels:

National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (www.nps.gov/upde/index.htm)

Delaware River Basin Commission (www.state.nj.us/drbc/)

Upper Delaware Council (upperdelawarecouncil.org/)

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (www.fish.state.pa.us/)

Pennsylvania Game Commission (www.pgc.state.pa.us)

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (www.depweb.state.pa.us)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (www.dec.ny.gov/)

2. Say goodbye to plastics, one of the most pervasive and long-term pollutants in the world today. I encounter endless plastic water bottles in my rambles through our region. If you can only manage one change this year, make it the elimination of single-use plastic water bottles. For 99 more tips, as well as loads of helpful advice for a life with less plastic, visit www.myplasticfreelife.com.

3. Take it to the trash. The sight of garbage mars our outdoor experiences, but its impact on wildlife can be devastating, resulting in suffering and even death. Don’t litter, and when you do encounter the trash others have left behind, take time to remove it. You might just save the life of a furry, feathered or finned neighbor. Commit to a regular clean-up routine along roads or hiking trails near your home. Plan ahead to participate with friends and neighbors in state-sponsored cleanup programs that typically occur in the weeks around Earth Day, April 22.